title: Indication for splenectomy in the era of living-donor liver transplantation.
abstract: Although end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is often associated with splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, splenectomy is not necessary in liver transplantation (OLT) except in special situations. In this paper, we examined the indications for splenectomy in the era of living-donor living transplantation. Six of 46 patients underwent splenectomies. Among them, one received a cadaveric graft. Three splenectomies were performed at 6, 7, and 44 days after OLT because of a huge spleen, massive ascites, or impaired liver function. The other two patients received simultaneous splenectomy during OLT to prevent rejection of ABO-incompatible grafts with a positive anti-T-cell test; and one, for postoperative therapy of hepatitis C. All six patients had a good response to splenectomy. We concluded that splenectomy may be indicated for recipients with severe thrombocytopenia, small-for-size syndrome, ABO incompatibility with positive anti-T/B-cell tests and post-OLT therapy for hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, China Medical University and China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China. surgery@www.cmuh.org.tw
authors.forename: L-B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: T-H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: H-T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001663:Bilirubin